Transverse road joint



April 4, 1939.

R. R. ROBERTSON TRANSVERSE ROAD JOINT Filed May 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Ill/111111111 A IIIIIIIIIIIIII ROBERT R. ROBERTSON April 4, 1939.

R. R. ROBERTSQN TRNSVERSE ROAD JOINT Filed May 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ROBERT R. RoBERTsoN Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE2,153,394 TRANSVERSE ROAD* JOINT' Robert R. Robertson, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to The Translode Joint Company, Chicago Heights, Ill., a.corporation of Illinois Application May 24, 1937, Serial No. 144,423 12Claims. (Cl. 94-18) This invention relates to transverse road jointssion of a transverse road joint wherein reversed adapted to bepositioned transversely of a road diagonally opposite angle sections areconnected between the center joint and the outer side of by anintermediate Z-shaped section, which, if the road for the purpose ofconnecting adjacent desired, may be strengthened by means of reinroadslabs for the transmission of loads from one forcing members positionedto increase the thick- 5 road slab to another, said transverse jointsarness of material at the middle portion of the ranged to be anchored inthe adjacent road slabs joint.

with the intermediate portion of each joint looped Still another objectof the invention is the proin vopposite directions with the loopedportions vision of a road joint comprising reversed diagonseparated by amiddle section which is not anally opposite angle sections integrallyconnected 10 chored to either of the road slabs and which is by means ofa Z-shaped intermediate section,

covered to prevent bonding to the concrete formsaid angle sections beingprovided with anchoring the road slabs between which the joint is ingmembers whereby the angle sections are anembedded. chored to oppositeroad slabs, said joint also in- ]5 It is an object of this invention toprovide a cluding diagonally opposite pads or coverings 15 roadtransverse joint comprising upper, lower and which separate each of the`angle sections from intermediate plate sections which are connected theroad slabs opposite the-road slabs in which together by means of bightportions which prothe angle sections are anchored. ject in oppositedirections for embedding in adja- It is an important object of thisinvention to cent concrete road slabs between which the joint provide atransverse road joint adapted to be sup- 20 is disposed, each of saidupper and lower plate ported in position before the pouring of concretesections having a covering on one side thereof, by means of supportingshoes, said joint comwith said covering extending to cover part of theprising upper and lower plate sections having intermediate plate sectionto obviate bonding of both horizontal and vertical anchoring members theconcrete with the side surfaces of the interstruck therefrom, said upperand lower plate secmediate plate Section, tions being integrallyconnected by means of an It is an object of this invention to provide anintermediate plate section and oppositely proimproved type of transverseroad joint comprising jecting looped portions which respectivelyproupper, lower and middle plate sections disposed ject in the directionof4 the anchoring members,

in substantially the same plane and integrally said joint adapted to bestrengthened, if desired, 30

connected by means of spring-like looped anwith reinforcing means forthe intermediate plate choring sections which project in oppositedirecsection and with coverings on diagonally options from oppositesides of the joint and are posite sides of the joint to prevent bondingof conseparated by the middle plate section. crete with the coveredsides of the joint to per- It is a further object of this invention topromit the upper and lower plate sections of the 30 vide an improvedtype of transverse road joint joint, to be moved in opposite directionsfrom one comprising upper, lower and middle plate sections another, withthe contraction and the expansion connected by oppositely projectinglooped porof the concrete road slabs due to temperature tions, saidlooped portions having engaged there- Changes or other causes.

in reinforcing members,portions of which project Other and furtherimportant objects of this 40 to be disposed on opposite sides of themiddle invention will be apparent from the disclosures plate sectiontoreinforce the middle portion of in the specification and theaccompanying drawthe joint. ings.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to The invention (inpreferred forms) is illusprovide a transverse ro-ad" joint whereinupper, trated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully 45 lower andintermediate plate sections are integdescribed. rally connected by meansof looped portions pro- On the drawings: jecting in opposite directionsand separated by Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan View of a the middleplate section and by a reinforcing bar transverse road joint formingmechanism em- 5 or filler member disposed adjacent one side of bodyingthe principles of this invention, with the the intermediate platesection to provide an inconcrete omitted and showing supporting shoescreased thickness of material at the middle porfor holding the jointforming mechanism in position of the joint throughout the entire lengthof tion upon a road subgrade PI'OI 170 the pouring the joint. f ofconcrete.

u Another object of the invention is the provi- Figure 2 is afragmentary Side elevaliOrl 0f the 55 ya top plate 9, a bottom section.'I'he upper margin joint forming mechanism illustrated in Figure 1.Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detail section through thetransverse jointshown embedded between concrete road slabs.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary isometric View of a modied form of transversejoint forming mechanism engaged in supporting shoe and includingreinforcing members for the middle portion of the joint.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary isometric view o1 another modified form andone of the supporting shoes therefor Vand illustrating a modified formof reinforcing means for the middle portion of the joint.

As shown on the drawings: Y

The improved transverse road joint illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3,is adapted to be supported upon a road subgrade I by means of aplurality of spaced'supporting shoes each of which comprises a middlechannel section 2 having inverted U-shaped side walls 3 to whichsupporting ilanges 4 are integrally connected. The shoe supportingilanges 4 areprovided with openings or apertures 5 for the reception ofretaining stakes 6 which are driven into the subgrade I as illustratedin Figure 3.

As clearly illustrated in Figure 3, the joint forming mechanism afterbeing secured in a selected position upon the road subgrade is embeddedin concrete, which forms the road slabs 1 and 8 on opposite sides of thejoint.

The joint forming mechanism is constructed of sheet metal which is bentor formed to provide plate I0 and an intermediate plate II, all of whichare disposed in substantially thesame plane. The lower margin of the topplate 9 is bent outwardly Yat substantial right angles to provide aflange plate I2, which together with the plate9 form an upper angleofthe lower plate IU is deected outwardlyV to form a flange plate I3which coacting with the bottom plate I0 forms a lower angle sectionwhich is positioned diagonal-v ly` opposite and in an inverted positionwith respect to the upper angle section 9-I 2. The upper margin of theintermediate plate outwardly and forms a flange plate I4 while the lowermarginlof the intermediate plate II is de-` ilected outwardly, in anopposite direction, to form a lower iiange plate I5. The intermediateplate II together with the upper and lower flanges I4 and I5 thereofform a middle Z-section with the upper flange plate I4 positionedadjacent the ilange plate I2 while the lower flange plate I5 of theintermediate section is positioned adjacent the flange plate I3.Integrally connecting the iiange plates I2 and I 41s a bight or sleeveIl.v The flange plates I3 and I 5 are integrally connected by Ymeans ofa bight or sleeve I'I. The

flange plates I2 and I4 connected by means of the sleeve I6 forms aloopedanchoring section whichv projects in a direction opposite from alooped anchoring section formed by the plates I3A and Y I 5 The Ytwoanchoring loops and the sleeve I 1. project in opposite directions andare positioned at different elevations separated by the intermediateplate I I which forms a part of the main Vbody of the joint. 'I'helooped anchoring section, v formed by the plates I2 and portion is, isembedded in the road slab 1, while the lower anchoring looped Asectionformed,V by

the plates I3 and I5 which .are connected bythe sleeve I 1, is embeddedin the opposite road slab 8.

Struck'outwardly from one side of the joint top plate 9 are verticalanchoring wings or blades I8,

of transverse road joint,k

I I is deflectedV I4 and the sleeve;

and horizontal anchoring wings or blades I9. Struck outwardly from thelower joint plate I 0, for embedding in the road slab 8, are verticalanchoring wings; or blades 2G and horizontal anchoring wings or blades2I. The upper and lower groups of anchoring wings or blades project fromopposite sides of the joint above and below the intermediate section ofthe joint forming an arrangement whereby the upper portion of the jointis anchored in one road slab, while the lower portion of the joint, isanchored in the opposite road slab. Anchoring of the looped portions ofthe joint, in the opposite road slabs 'l and 8 serves to connect theopposite slabs through the middle or intermediate plate Ill of thejoint.

Positioned adjacent a side, of the joint top plate 9, opposite theanchoring rings or blades is a cushion or pad 22 constructed ofasphalted roofing felt or other suitable material which extendsdownwardly to cover the opening between the ilange plates I2 and I4 andcontinues on to cover one side of the intermediate plate I I down to theflange plate I5, thereby providing an arrangement preventing bonding ofthe concrete of the road slab 8 with the top plate 9 and theintermediate or middle plate I I of the joint. Positioned on thediagonally opposite side of the joint mechanism, as clearly illustratedin Figure 3 is a lower cushion or pad 23, also constructed of asphaltedroong felt or other suitable material and covering the plain side of thelower joint plate I0 and the opposite side of the intermediate or middleplate II of the joint. Y

The lower cushioning pad 23 also extends across the opening between theflange plates I3 and I5 of the lower looped section and extends upwardlyto contact the flange plate E4 thereby alfording a constructionpreventing bonding of the concrete, forming part of the road slab withthe lower joint plate mediate or middle joint plate I I. By referring toFigure 3, it will be noted that the pads or coverings 22 and 23 arepositioned on diagonally opposite sides of the joint, and cover bothsides of the intermediate or middle plate I I, and the sides of theupper and lower plates 9 and I D, opposite from the sides from which theanchoring blades project.

Figure 4 illustrates a modified form of transverse road joint whichnormally is adapted to be supported in position upon a road subgrade bymeans of channel shaped supporting shoes similai` to those used in thejoint construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.

The modified form of transverse road joint is formed out of sheet steelor other suitable material and comprises a top plate 24, a bottom plate25 and a middle or intermediate plate 26, all of which are positioned insubstantially the same plane. Integrally formed at substantially rightangles to the lower margin of the top plate 24 is a ange plate 21, whichtogether with the top plate 24 forms a top angle section. Integrallyformed on the upperrmargin of the bottom plate 26, is a flange plate 28,which together with the bottom plate 26 forms a lower angle sectionwhich is inverted and diagonally opposite tothe upper angle section.Integrally formed at substantially right angles to the upper margin ofthe intermediate plate 25 is a flange plate 29 which is integrallyconnected with the ilange plate 2'I by a bight portion 33. Integrallyformed at substantially right angles on the lower margin of theintermediate plate 25,Y is a which is integrally connected with thelower CII iiange plate 3I,

contraction and expansion of the road 'slabs' due to temperaturechanges.

It will of course be understood that various details of construction maybe varied through a wide range without departing from the principles ofthis invention, and it is therefore, not the purpose to limit the patentgranted thereon, other- Wise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a transverse joint for embedding between adjacent concrete roadslabs, a joint forming mechanism comprising an upper plate includinganchoring membersV projecting from one side thereof, a lower plateincluding anchoring members projecting from one side thereof, anintermediate plate disposed between the upper plate and the lower plateand substantially in the plane of one of said plates, looped anchoringsections projecting from opposite sides of the joint forming mechanismand integrally connecting the upper plate and said lower plate with theintermediate plate, and coverings of compressible material disposed ondiagonally opposite sides of the joint forming mechanism to cover oneside of the lower plate, and portion of the said intermediupper plateand one side of the both sides of the intermediate joint to obviate theadherence of 4ate portion of the joint to sai-d road slabs.

2. In a transverse joint for embedding between adjacent concrete roadslabs, said joint comprising upper and lower angle sections reversed anddisposed diagonally opposite one another, an intermediate Z-sectionbetween the angle sections, bight portions integrally connecting theintermediate Z-section with the upper and lower angle sections,anchoring members struck from one side of each of said upper and lowerangle members and leaving openings therein, and compressible coveringson the opposite side of each of said upper and lower angle members andcovering the openings therein.

3. A transverse joint forming mechanism for embedding between concreteroad slabs, saidI mechanism comprising reversed diagonally oppositeangle sections, an intermediate Z-shaped section separating the anglesections, anchoring loops integrally connecting the angle sections withthe intermediate Z-shaped section, anchoring members formed on saidangle sections with the anchoring members of one angle section embeddedin one of the concrete road slabs while the anchoring members of theother angle section are embedded in the opposite road slab, and acovering on each of said angle members, said coverings positioned ondiagonally opposite sides of the joint forming mechanism and extendingto cover both sides of the middle portion of the intermediate Z-s-hapedsection of the joint.

4. Av transverse joint for embedding between adjacent concrete roadslabs, said joint comprising upper and lower plates having anchoringmeans formed thereon, an intermediate plate disposed in substantiallythe plane of said upper and lower plates, looped portions projecting inopposite directions and integrally connecting the upper and lower plateswith said intermediate plate, reinforcing means adjacent theintermediate plate to increase the thickness of the material atthe'middle portion of the joint, and coverings for said upper and lowerplates positioned on diagonally opposide sides of the joint andextending to cover one side `of the intermediate plate and one side ofthe reinforcing means.

5. A transverse joint forming mechanism for embedding between adjacentconcrete road slabs and comprising upper and lower plates, anintermediate plate disposed in substantially the same plane as saidupper and lower plates, looped sections integrally connecting the upperand lower plates with said intermediate plate and projecting fromopposite sides of the joint forming mechanism, and reinforcing membersengaged in the looped portions and covering opposite sides of theintermediate plate.

6. A transverse joint forming mechanism for embedding between adjacentconcrete road slabs and comprising upper and lower plates, anintermediate plate disposed in substantially the same plane as saidupper and lower plates, looped sections integrally connecting the upperand lower plates with said intermediate plate and projecting fromopposite sides of the joint forming mechanism, reinforcing membersengaged in the looped portions and covering opposite sides of theintermediate plate, and anchoring members formed on said upper and lowerplates with the anchoring members of one of said plates projecting in adirection opposite from the direction of projection of the anchoringmembers from the other of' said plates.

'7. A transverse joint forming mechanism for embedding between adjacentconcrete road slabs and comprising upper and lower plates, anintermediate plate disposed in substantially the same plane as saidupper and lower plates, looped sections integrally connecting the upperand lower plates with said intermediate plate and projecting fromopposite sides ofthe joint forming mechanism, reinforcing membersengaged in the looped portions and covering opposite sides of theintermediate plate, anchoring members formed on said upper and lowerplates with the anchoring members of one of said plates projecting in adirection opposite from the Idirection of projection of the anchoringmembers on the other of said plates, and a co-vering on one side of eachof said upper and lower plates extending to the looped portion on therespective side of the-joint forming mechanism to cover the reinforcingmeans on that side of the intermediate portion of the joint formingmechanism.

8. A road joint forming mechanism for ernbedding between adjacentconcrete road slabs and comprising upper and lower plates havinganchoring members projecting from one side thereof, an intermediateplate between said plates and parallel thereto, looped portionsintegrally connecting the upper and lower pilates with said intermediateplate and opening in opposite directions, reinforcing members engagedinthe looped portions and projecting therefrom to cover the oppositesides of the intermediate plate, and coverings on one side of the upperand lower plates and projecting to the looped portions of the joint.

to cover.opposite sides of the reinforced intermediate portion of thejoint.

9. A transverse roa-d joint forming mechanism for embedding betweenadjacent concrete road slabs, said joint forming mechanism comprisingupper and lower plates having anchoring members projecting therefrom, anintermediate plate between said plates,-oppositely projecting, loopedportions integrally connecting the upper and lower plates with theintermediate plate, and a reinforcing block between the looped portionsand adjacent one side of the intermediate plate to increase thethickness of the material at the middle portion of the joint between thelooped portions.

flange plate 28, by means of a bight portion 32. The intermediate plate25 with the upper and lower Vflanges 29 and 3| forms an intermediateZ-shaped section which integrally connects the upper and lower anglesections of the joint. The upper flange plates 21 and 29, connected bythe bight portion 30, forms a looped section which projects outwardlyfrom one side of the joint, while the lower flange plates 28 and 3|,connected by the bight portion 32, form a lower looped section whichprojects outwardly from the opposite side of the joint and is spacedbelow the upper looped section by the intermediate flange plate 25.

Struck outwardly from the upper and lower plates 24 and 26 4arehorizontal anchoring wings or blades 33 and vertical anchoring wings orblades 34. The anchoring blades 33 and 34 are staggered with respect toone another. The upper anchoring wings or blades 33 and 34, which arestruck outwardly from the top plate 24, project over the flange plate21, while the lower anchoring wings or blades 33 and 34, struck from thelower joint plate 26, project in an opposite direction beneath theflange 28.

For the purpose of reinforcing the intermediate portion of the jointforming mechanism, metal reinforcing angles 35 are mounted in reversestaggered relation with one of the flanges of the upper angle iron 35projecting into the upper looped portion between the flange plates 21and 29 while the other flange of the angle iron is positioned adjacentone side of the intermediate plate 25. The lowerV reinforcing angle iron35 is positioned with one of the flanges thereof projecting between theflange plates 28 and 3| of the lower looped portion, while the otherflange of the lower angle iron is positioned adjacent the opposite sideof the intermediate plate 25. It will thus be seen that the middle plate25 of the joint is reinforced by the flanges of the angle ironpositioned on opposite sides thereof to form an increased thickness ofmetal at the middle portion of the joint.

Secured to the side of the upper plate 24, opposite theV side from whichthe anchoring blades project, is an upper covering or pad 36 constructedof asphalted roofing felt or other suitable material. The covering 36extends downwardly and covers the outer side of the downwardlyprojecting flange of the top angle member 35, with the lower edge of thepad 36 resting upon the flange 3|. Secured on the side of the lowerplate 28, opposite the anchoring blades, is a lower covering or pad 31constructed of asphalted roofing felt or other suitable material. Thecovering or pad 31 extends upwardly to cover the outer face of theupwardly projecting flange of the lower reinforcing angle iron 35. Thecovering or pad 31 extends upwardly until the upper edge contacts theflange 29. The covers or pads 36 and 31 act to prevent bonding ofconcrete with the plain sidesof the upper plate 24 and the lower plate25, and with Ythe exposed surfaces of the reinforcing angle members 35.

Figure illustrates another modified form of transverse road joint, whichis adapted to be mounted in position on a road subgrade by means ofchannel shaped anchoring shoes similar to those used with the jointillustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings. In this modified forrn ofthe transverse joint, the members are constructed out of sheet steel orother suitable material and comprise a top plate 38, abottom plate 39and an intermediate plate 48, said lower plate 39 and the intermediateplate 40 being disposed, in substantially the same plane whilethe upperplate 38 is placed to one side thereof. Integrally formed on; the lowermargin of the top plate 38 is a flange plate 4|V which together with theplate 38 form an upper angle section. Integrally formed onl the upperedge of the middle or intermediate plate 48 is a flange plate 42 whichis positioned to' contact the bottom surface of the flange plate 4|.integrally connecting the flange plates 4| and 42 is an anchoring sleeveor tube 43 which together with the flange plates 4| and 42 forms anupper looped. anchoring section. Integrally formed on the upper marginof the lower joint plate 39 is a flange plate 44, which is positioned incontacting relation, with a flange 45, which is integrally formed on thelower margin of the intermediate or middle plate 48. Integrallyconnecting the flange plates 44 and 45 is a lower anchoring tube orsleeve 48 which together with the flange plates 44 and 45 form a lowerlooped anchoring section which projects in a direction opposite from theupper looped section. The two looped sections are connected by themiddle section which is of Z-shape comprising the middle'plate 40 withthe flanges 42 and 44. Horizontal anchoring wings or blades 41v arestruck outwardly from one side of both the upper and lower plates 38 and39. Each of said plates also has struck therefrom vertical anchoringwings or blades 48 which are staggered with respect to the blades orwings 41. The upper anchoring blades or wings 41 and 48 projectoutwardly over the upper looped anchoring section while the loweranchoring wings or blades 41 and 48 project outwardly beneath the lowerlooped anchoring section.

For the purpose of reinforcing the middle portion of the joint, a metalreinforcing block or bar 49 is positioned adjacent one side of theintermediate or middle plate 40 and between the flanges 4| and 45 tofill the space beneath the projecting portion of the flange plate 4|between the upper plate 38 and the intermediate plate 48 therebyproviding an intermediate portion of the joint of increased thickness.

Secured to one side of the top joint plate 38, opposite the side fromwhich the anchoring blades project, is an upper cover or pad 50constructed of asphalted roofing felt or other suitable material. Thepad or cover 50 extends downardly to the flange 45 and covers the outerexposed surface of the reinforcing block or bar 49. Secured to the plainside of the lower plate 39, is a lower covering or pad 5|, which is alsoconstructed of asphalted roofing felt or other suitable material. Thelower pad 5I extends upwardly to the flange 42 and covers one surface ofthe middle or intermediate joint plate 48.

The pads 5D and 5| obviate bonding of the concrete with diagonallyopposite sides of the. joint mechanism. With the improved joint formingmechanism mounted in position as illustrated in Figure 5, upon a roadsubgrade, transversely of the road, concrete is poured on opposite sidesof the joint forming mechanism to form road slabs. The lower portion ofone side of the joint forming methanism is anchored to one of the roadslabs while the upper portion on the opposite side of the joint isanchored in the adjacent road slab. A transverse joint is thus provided,between the road slabs, whereby loads are adapted to be transmitted fromone road slab to another through the intermediate portion of the joint.The joint is also formed to compensate for the at diierent elevationsseparated by the inter-v l0. A road joint forming mechanism comprisingin combination a supporting means, upper and lower plates havinganchoring means formed thereon with said lower plate engaged in thesupporting means, an intermediate plate disposed in the plane of saidlower plate and t0 one side of the plane of said upper plate, upper andlower looped portions projecting in opposite direction and.' integrallyconnecting the upper and lower plates with said intermediate plate, anda reinforcing bar engaged between the looped portions and adjacent oneside of the intermediate plate.

11. A road joint forming mechanism including in combination a supportingmeans, upper and lower plates with said lower plate engaged in thesupporting means, an intermediate plate, looped portions integrallyconnecting the upper and lower plates with said intermediate plate andprojecting from opposite sides oi the joint mediate plate, and reversereinforcing angle members disposed adjacent opposite sides of theintermediate plate and projecting into the looped portions of the joint.

1,2. A road joint forming mechanism for embedding between concrete slabsand comprising j upper and lower plates, an intermediate plateseparating the same and disposed in a plane parallel to said upper andlower plate, looped portions projecting in opposite directions from oneanother and disposed at different elevations and integrally connectingthe upper and lower plates with said intermediate plate, and coveringmeans on opposite sides of the intermediate plate and covering one sideof each of said upper and lower plates and the open sides, of the loopedportions of the joint to prevent the entrance of concrete into saidlooped portions and preventing the adherence of said intermediate platet either of the concrete slabs.

ROBERT R. ROBERTSON.

